ORIGINAL: Nomercy
I'd recommend the .454cassul Super Redhawk in 5.5 or 7.5", I've had three SRH's now, two .454's and one .480....
It's DA so it'd be fast enough and simple enough for defending yourself with (best done with .45colt loads), and the 7.5" bbl is plenty long enough to offer superb hunting accuracy.
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Nomercy,A couple small corrections to your comments. The SRH's are only available in 7.5" and 9.5".The Redhawk is available with either a 5.5" or 7.5"bbls.Another correction. The 454 Casull is only available in the Super Redhawk and not in the Redhawk or Super Blackhawk. I would like to see the Casull chambered in a S Blackhawk.I don't think it's likely to happen. Ruger would have already did it if they had plans to chamber it for the Casull..
BBJ if you can handle the recoil of the Casull that would be the way to go. If the Casull is to much for your comfort the 45Colt can be loaded to suit your taste.I have both a RH in 44mag and a SRH in the Casull.I like them both. You do have to hang on to the Casull. It's not a caliber for an inexperienced handgunner.If you get a 44mag you can practice shooting with the milder 44 Spl.
Ruger Redhawk